Maroon Bells
-
When the Aspens start turning, Maroon Bells is the place to be to see
Colorado's Fall Foliage. Maroon Bells has trails leading
over nine passes above 12,000 feet in elevation, delectable hot springs of
Conundrum Creek, and shimmering alpine lakes nestled at the feet of jagged
peaks. Six of these peaks crest over 14,000 feet. The twin peaks of Maroon
Bells are perhaps Colorado's most recognizable scene, and the surrounding
wilderness is one of the most popular, both for good reason. When it comes
to sheer mountain splendor and fall foliage, few areas compare with the Elk Mountains and
Maroon Bells.

Smoky Mountains National Park- The place
place to see North Carolina and Tennessee Fall Foliage is in the Smokies. Great Smoky Mountains
National Park is a ridge upon ridge of endless forest that straddle the
border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Its one of the largest
protected areas in the Eastern United States. World and renowned for the
diversity of its plant and animal life, the beauty of its ancient mountains,
the quality of its remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, and
the depth and integrity of its wilderness sanctuary. Each year, the park
attracts over nine million visitors.. Once a part of the
Cherokee homeland, the Smokies today are a hiker's paradise with over 800
miles of trails.

Lake Champlain -
Instead of hiking or driving thru the fall foliage, how about taking a boat
and grabbing a pole to see Lake Champlain's Fall Foliage . Lake Champlain is every water lover's dream come
true. The spectacular foliage, gentle breezes and comfortable temperatures
make it hard to resist sailing, boating or windsurfing these waters. As
deep as 400 feet in some places and home to over 60 species of fish,
including bass and salmon, anglers cast their lines year-round into one of
North America's greatest fishing locations. And then there are the
historic lighthouses, the uncrowded beaches, the lakeside restaurants, and
the historic communities hugging its shoreline. You can't miss with a
fall foliage trip in upstate
New York.

The North Cascades
- Come and
experience the intense and rugged beauty of the fall foliage of the North Cascades – jagged
peaks, deep valleys, cascading waterfalls and over 700 glaciers. North
Cascades National Park Service Complex contains the heart of this
mountainous region in three park units which are all managed as one and
include North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National
Recreation Areas. Originally this area was the home to many Native American
tribes and a trade gateway between the Plateau tribes to the east and the
Coast Salish tribes to the west. Native Americans have been in these
mountains for over 8,000 years. More recent settlers came in the nineteenth
century to establish homesteads in places like the Stehekin Valley, or to
mine elusive minerals – like gold, or to trap furbearing animals such as the
beaver, otter, and marten.

The Mohawk
Trail - Follow the steps that the original Indians took, and hike or
ride the Mohawk Trail. One of the oldest designated tourist and scenic
routes in the country, the Mohawk Trail traces its roots to the post glacial
age.While the peoples of the northeast had neither the wheel nor the horse,
they created many footpath trade and travel routes throughout New England.
One of the most heavily traveled - and one of the most famous today - was
the path we call the Mohawk Trail. During historic times, the Mohawk Trail
evolved with the mode of transportation, advancing from foot travel to the
automobile. The early European settlers used the Indian Path to travel
between the English settlements of Boston and Deerfield, and the Dutch
settlements in New York. The white settlers and traders brought with them
the horse and the wheel, which required the widening and slight relocation
of the original path.

Blue Ridge
Parkway- The Blue Ridge Parkway is also
known as "America's Favorite Drive", and is the most visited unit of
America's National Park System. A drive down the Parkway provides stunning,
long range vistas and close-up looks at the natural and cultural history of
the southern Appalachian mountains. It is designed as a drive-awhile and
stop-awhile experience. The 469 mile parkway connects Shenandoah and Great
Smoky Mountains National Parks. This scenic drive has an abundance of
opportunities for stops at overlooks, picnic and camping facilities, trails,
and natural areas.

Sheltowee Trace Trail- Watch the fall colors
explode on the Sheltowee and retrace the Big Turtle's steps. The word,
Sheltowee means Big Turtle and that's the name the Shawnee gave Daniel Boone
when they adopted him into their tribe. Centuries after Big Turtle led early
settlers through the Cumberland Gap into the Shawnee's sacred hunting
ground, John Muir and other explorers followed in his footsteps. Now the
Sheltowee Trace retraces the ground broken by these pioneers, along a
268-mile National Recreation Trail.

The
North Woods -
A friend of mine who calls himself "Common Man" calls this "Gods County."
When he drives north thru Wisconsin and crosses the Fox River, he always
annouces, "Now, were are in God's Country".

Assateague Island - In the fall, the island's colors include
beautiful oranges and reds as foliage turns on the dunes—but don't look too
closely, or you'll come home with a case of poison ivy, which is responsible
for providing berries for birds, holding the dunes together, and playing a
lead role in the fall foliage show. While looking at the leaves, you may spot a few of the more
than 300 species of birds, both resident and migratory that live on the
island. This area is one of the most important bird refuges in America.
You'll see waterfowl, shorebirds, and migratory songbirds.

White
Mountains Trail - After the hot days of summer are gone and before the cold
days winter are upon us, close your eyes and
try to envision an idyllic place where there is blue sky and waterfalls,
long-range colorful mountain views, a dash of history and pinch of
excitement, a comfortable bed at the end of the day or a pleasant place to
throw your sleeping bag under the stars. Nothing is like seeing fall foliage in New England. Or in other words, come hike and
see the White Mountians trail.

Western North Carolina
One of the best sources for the western North Carolina mountains is the
Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau Web site. Beginning in late September,
the site posts weekly updates on the changing foliage along with scenic drives
for prime fall viewing. Website:
www.exploreasheville.com/fall.asp.

Great Smoky Mountain, TN & NC
Get the latest on fall color in the Great Smoky Mountains from Smokies Guide.
Website: www.smokiesguide.com/fall_foliage.
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park Website has links to webcams that show
you progress of fall color as it sweeps through the Smokies beginning in
early October in the higher elevations
Website: www.nps.gov/grsm.

This listing of the
Top Ten Fall Foliage Areas in the United States is constantly being revised as we experience and learn new things about about different areas of the country. So, if you feel we are missing one,
please email us and let us know!